I bought my first dual GPS about 20 years ago and it’s still going strong. That original unit was the XGPS150A, which is still available for purchase today, but for about $80 to $100 less than the latest version, the XGPS160 (retail price $325).
I got the XGPS160 about six months ago, but it didn’t get off to a good start. I used it once, but I left it in my car with a dead battery, and when I went to charge it last month…there was nothing. After several email exchanges with the Mendelssohn Pilot Supplies retailer in Victoria, we performed several defect-finding steps without success. I sent the unit back and had a brand new replacement within a few days. So the warranty was solid and the service was top notch.
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Why standalone Bluetooth GPS still makes sense
So, does anyone really need a standalone GPS now that most cell phones have their own GPS chips? First, the latest Wi-Fi-only iPads don’t come with Wi-Fi, and neither do many other tablets and devices. Also, if you want to use your laptop or in-car computer to perform mapping or navigation, you’ll definitely need a separate GPS receiver. That’s where dual units pay off.
The latest XGPS160 offers 99 channels for satellite reception and can simultaneously track both the long-established US GPS network and the new Russian GLONASS system. Connect to up to 5 Bluetooth devices (Apple or Android) at once, and the built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of use with a single device connected.
The built-in receiver is a highly sensitive WAAS unit with fast satellite acquisition and 10Hz positioning updates (up to 10 fixes per second). In practice, this means excellent precision and reliable tracking, even in fast-moving environments such as aircraft, or even the most enthusiastic driving in fast 4WD. The operating limit is claimed to be 1150 mph, so it’s safe to say you won’t run into any problems in situations such as: troops.
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Performance, apps and daily use
The XGPS160 also comes with the handy GPS Status Tool app, available for free from the iTunes App Store. The app allows you to toggle automatic route recording, export saved log files, and view detailed receiver data such as current location, satellite count and signal strength, battery level and charging status, and confirmation that GPS is connected to your Bluetooth device.
The latest version of the Dual GPS is slightly larger and slightly heavier than its predecessor, still only 71 grams, but still small enough to be placed almost anywhere on your car’s dashboard. A non-slip pad is included to keep the unit firmly in place whether you’re in a 4×4 vehicle, boat, or airplane, and a wraparound cover provides additional protection from bumps and drops. The new model also switches to a USB-C charging port, replacing the old Mini-USB connection.
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I’ve been using this replacement unit for several weeks now with no issues. Pairing with my iPad was quick and easy, and I was locked on to a satellite within 30 seconds. Thanks to the increased number of receive channels compared to the previous model, the XGPS160 maintained constant location updates without ever dropping out.